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Thread Type Guide: NPT, BSP, JIS, SAE, Metric – Trimantec

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Thread Type Guide: NPT, BSP, JIS, SAE, JUNE 01, 2021

Metric – Trimantec Thread Type

Guide: NPT, BSP,
POSTED BY TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS TEAM · JUNE 01, 2021
JIS, SAE, Metric
  – Trimantec
MAY 26, 2021

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So you finally found the right solenoid valve to replace your broken one. RSS FEED
You call to check stock on the item and the sales rep asks you what
thread type you need. You ask, “How do I find out what thread type I
need?” Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find a detailed
guide on how to correctly identify the most popular thread types used in
industrial components. Plus, learn when it’s okay to use thread seal tape
for urgent situations.

It’s important to identify the specific thread type you need in order for
your equipment to function at its best. Pneumatic components such as air
cylinders, valves, and air preparation units come equipped with specific
port threads. For example, the pneumatic components we offer in our
web store are available with either NPT, PT or G port threads. Choosing
the correct thread type will ensure optimum compatibility with your
equipment. At a glance, threads may look similar. But take a closer look
and you’ll notice the very subtle differences that would make them
incompatible with one another. For example, G threads are not
compatible NPT threads because of their differing angles, shapes, and
thread pitches (threads per inch).

We have compiled a simple step-by-step guide to help you identify your

thread type. In addition, we’ll cover some of the most common port
thread types including NPT/NPTF, BSPP (also known as G), BSPT, PT,
Metric (M) and SAE. You’ll need a couple tools on hand to make the
process easier, but a straight steel ruler may work as well. We also
encourage you to download this Thread Identification Guide for future
reference because it will certainly come in handy.

Table of Contents:
Tools You’ll Need
NPT/NPTF Thread Type Chart
BSP Thread Type Chart
PT Thread Type Chart
SAE Thread Type Chart
Metric Thread Type Chart
Thread Seal Tape and Alternative Solutions
Thread Identifying Tools You Need
Caliper –
A caliper is a useful tool that measures the outside diameter of a male
thread and inside diameter of a female thread. Using a caliper will give
you the most accurate and precise measurements, but a straight steel
ruler is a good alternative. However, if you think you’ll be using one quite
often, here’s a digital caliper we found on Amazon for a reasonable price.

Caliper

Pitch Gauge –
A pitch gauge measures the threads per inch. For metric threads, this tool
measures the distance between the threads. If you’re looking to buy a
thread pitch gauge, Grainger has a pretty good selection.
Thread Pitch Gauge

How to Identify Different Types of Threads

Step 1 – Male Threads v. Female Threads
First, you’ll need to identify whether the thread type is male or female.
Take a look at where the threads are located. If they’re on the outside of
the thread, it’s a male thread. If they’re on the inside of the thread, it’s a
female thread. The gender of the thread doesn’t necessarily have an
impact on the functionality of the thread. It simply serves as a way to
distinguish between the two connections.

Male thread type

Male Thread

Female Thread Type

Female Thread

Step 2 – Tapered Threads v. Parallel Threads

Next, determine if the thread is tapered or parallel. Tapered threads
become narrower as they extend outward while parallel threads remain
the same diameter. Sometimes this characteristic can be determined
through visual inspection, but if not a caliper can come in handy. Use the
caliper to measure the first fourth and final full thread If the
caliper to measure the first, fourth, and final full thread. If the
measurements are all the same, then it’s parallel. If the measurements
decrease in size, then it’s tapered.

NPT/NPTF, BSPT, and Metric Tapered are examples of tapered threads.

These threads create a seal through metal-to-metal wedging or slight
deformation of the threads. Parallel threads will often require an o-ring or
thread tape to ensure a tight seal.

Straight Versus Tapered Threads

Step 3 – Pitch Size

The next step in identifying your thread type is to determine the pitch
size. A thread’s pitch size is the number of threads per inch or the
distance between threads on metric thread types. While a ruler could be
used to calculate the pitch size, a pitch gauge is highly recommended as
pitch sizes can be very similar. Test a couple different sizes with a pitch
gauge to find the best match.

How to use a pitch gauge

Measuring pitch size with a pitch gauge

 

Step 4 – Thread Diameter

After you’ve figured out the pitch size, you’ll need to determine the
thread diameter. Using the caliper again, measure the outside diameter on
a male thread and inside diameter on a female thread. If you find that
your measurements don’t exactly line up with the measurements in the
tables below, this is okay. There will inevitably be small variations due to
different manufacturers.

Step 5 – Thread Type Standard

The final step in identifying your thread type is to identify the thread type
standard. NPT, PT, and G are all examples of thread type standards.
Gather the information from the previous steps and compare it with the
measurements in the tables below. You can also download all this
information in a convenient PDF file.

Download the Thread Identification Guide

Go to top

Note: Due to variations in manufacturing the thread diameter may not

match exactly with the measurements below.

NPT/NPTF Thread Type – National Pipe Tapered

Fuel
This thread type is most commonly used in North America. You’ll
recognize it by its tapered outer and inner diameter which is self-sealing.
When torqued the flanks of the threads compress against each other
forming a leak-tight seal. However, it is still recommended to use PTFE
tape or another sealant compound to guarantee a completely leak-tight
seal.

A semi-compatible variant of NPT is NPTF (National Pipe Taper Fuel). It

ensures an even more leak-free seal. But it is important to note that using
these variants together diminishes their leak-free characteristics. NPT
threads should be burr-free and lubricated using lubricating paste or tape.
Doing so limits corrosion on the threads which otherwise can make future
disassembly nearly impossible.

Dash Male Male Female

Size Female
Thread Thread Thread Thread
(Nomin Thread
Pitch O.D. O.D. I.D.
al Size) I.D. mm
mm inches inches

-02
27 10.3 0.41 9.4 0.37
(1/8)

-04
18 13.7 0.54 12.4 0.49
(1/4)

-06
18 17.3 0.68 15.7 0.62
(3/8)

-08
14 21.3 0.84 19.3 0.76
(1/2)

-10
14 22.9 0.90 21.1 0.83
(5/8)
 (5/8)

-12
14 26.9 1.06 24.9 0.98
(3/4)

-16 (1) 11½ 33.3 1.31 31.5 1.24

-20 (1
11½ 42.2 1.66 40.1 1.58
¼)

-24 (1
11½ 48.3 1.90 46.2 1.82
½)

-32 (2) 11½ 60.4 2.38 57.9 2.29

*O.D. = Outside Diameter I.D. = Inside Diameter

Go to top

BSP Thread Type – British Standard Pipe

This is a standard thread type that has been adopted internationally for
interconnecting and sealing pipe ends. You’ll find it used all throughout
Europe. There are two types of BSP threads, BSPP and BSPT. BSPP refers
to parallel or straight threads. Meanwhile, BSPT refers to tapered threads.
Sometimes BSPP threads are referred to as G threads and BSPT threads
as R threads. Are you confused yet?

Note: JIS tapered pipe thread (PT thread) is interchangeable with BSPT
thread.

Dash Male Male Female

Size Female
Thread Thread Thread Thread
(Nomin Thread
Pitch O.D. O.D. I.D.
al Size) I.D. mm
mm inches inches

-02
28 9.7 0.38 8.9 0.35
(1/8)

-04
19 13.2 0.52 11.9 0.47
(1/4)

06
 -06
19 16.5 0.65 15.2 0.60
(3/8)

-08
14 20.8 0.82 19.1 0.75
(1/2)

-10
14 22.4 0.88 20.3 0.80
(5/8)

-12
14 26.4 1.04 24.6 0.97
(3/4)

-16 (1) 11 33.0 1.30 31.0 1.22

-20 (1
11 41.9 1.65 39.6 1.56
¼)

-24 (1
11 47.8 1.88 45.5 1.79
½)

-32 (2) 11 59.7 2.35 57.4 2.26

*O.D. = Outside Diameter I.D. = Inside Diameter

Go to top

JIS Tapered Pipe Thread Type – PT

PT thread type is identical and interchangeable with BSPT thread type.
However, since the male PT thread does not have a 30-degree flare, it will
not mate with the BSPP female swivel with conical seat. Also, we
recommended using thread sealant with PT threads to ensure a leak-free
seal.

Dash Male Male Female

Size Female
Thread Thread Thread Thread
(Nomin Thread
Pitch O.D. O.D. I.D.
al Size) I.D. mm
mm inches inches

-02
28 9.4 0.37 8.1 0.32
(1/8)
 -04
19 13.7 0.53 12.4 0.49
(1/4)

-06
19 17.2 0.68 16 0.62
(3/8)

-08
14 21.5 0.84 19.8 0.77
(1/2)

-10
14 23.1 0.91 20.6 0.81
(5/8)

-12
14 26.9 1.06 25.4 1
(3/4)

-16 (1) 11 34 1.34 31.8 1.25

-20 (1
11 42.6 1.68 40.4 1.59
¼)

-24 (1
11 48.5 1.9 46.2 1.81
½)

-32 (2) 11 60.4 2.37 58.2 2.29

*O.D. = Outside Diameter I.D. = Inside Diameter

Go to top

SAE Thread Type – Straight Thread O-Ring Boss

SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers - straight threads are able to seal
because of the 90-durometer Buna-N “O” Ring. This is a highly reliable
and reusable thread type. While some thread types require the threads of
the male and female end to crush together to form a seal, the O-Ring on
this thread type prevents that.

Dash Male Male Female

Size Female
Thread Thread Thread Thread
(Nomin Thread
Pitch O.D. O.D. I.D.
al Size) I.D. mm
mm inches inches
 -02
24 3.9 0.31 6.9 0.27
(1/8)

-03
24 9.6 0.38 8.6 0.34
(3/16)

-04(1/4
20 11.2 0.44 9.9 0.39
)

-05(5/1
20 12.7 0.5 11.4 0.45
6)

-06(3/8
18 14.2 0.56 12.9 0.51
)

-08(1/2
16 19 0.75 17 0.67
)

-10(5/8
14 22.3 0.88 20.3 0.8
)

-12(3/4
12 26.9 1.06 24.9 0.98
)

-14(7/8
12 30 1.18 27.7 1.09
)

-16(1) 12 33.3 1.31 31 1.22

-20(1
12 41.4 1.63 39.1 1.54
¼)

-24(1
12 47.7 1.88 45.5 1.79
½)

-32(2) 12 63.5 2.5 61.2 2.41

*O.D. = Outside Diameter I.D. = Inside Diameter

Go to top

Metric Tapered/Parallel Thread Type

Metric Tapered/Parallel Thread Type
Metric thread type is most common in Europe. It has a cylindrical inner
and outer diameter precise in millimeters. The fine taper of metric tapered
thread allows for the best possible force transmission. In writing, you can
identify metric threads by a capital “M” plus an indication of their nominal
outside diameter (ex. M22 x 1.5). Lastly, when measuring pitch size make
sure you’re using a metric pitch gauge.

SI Metric Port Thread Pitch Male Thread Male Thread

Size mm mm O.D. mm O.D. inches

M5 × 0,8 .8 5 0.1968

M8 × 1,0 1 8 0.3150

M10 × 1,0 1 10 0.3937

M12 × 1,5 1.5 12 0.4724

M14 × 1,5 1.5 14 0.5512

M16 × 1,5 1.5 16 0.6299

M18 × 1,5 1.5 18 0.7087

M22 × 1,5 1.5 22 0.8661

M27 × 2,0 2 27 1.063

M33 × 2,0 2 33 1.299

M42 × 2,0 2 42 1.654

M50 × 2,0 2 50 1.969

M60 × 2,0 2 60 2.362

*O.D. = Outside Diameter

Go to top

Alternative Thread Solutions

Airtac offers a variety of cost-effective replacement pneumatic parts.
However, it can be a challenge finding the exact part you need to replace.
Luckily our product specialists can guide you through figuring out what
part you have on hand. One crucial piece of information our parts
specialists need to know is the thread type. With Airtac you have three
options: NPT, PT, or G (BSPP). But when you have a machine down, the
last thing you want to do is take out your measuring tools and charts to
find what threads are on your solenoid valve. Here’s how we can get
around all that if you’re in a pinch.

1. Do you know where your equipment was manufactured? If your

equipment is originally from China, 9 times out of 10 you’ll need PT
threads. If it was manufactured in North America, then you’re safe to go
with NPT threads. You may need to reference the user manual to find this
information or contact the original equipment manufacturer.

2. Does your product require fittings? Let’s say you have a pneumatic
filter with NPT threads. It may be possible to simply replace these fittings
to make them compatible with a PT threaded product.

3. For dire situations, use PFTE thread seal tape. As a last resort, you can
use sealant tape to mate PT and NPT threads together. We recommend
this as a last resort though.

Thread types can be a little overwhelming to grasp at first. There’s a lot to

take in. The types we’ve covered in this guide barely scratch the surface
of the many different kinds available. However, having the right tools can
a make a world of a difference. We hope this guide is useful and
insightful. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or simply
leave a comment below. Lastly, make sure to take all this valuable
information with you in our downloadable Thread Identification Guide.
It’s packed with all the same useful information and it’s interactive!

Shop Pneumatic Components

 
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